Automatic cigarette-packing machine



r June" 12',

. w. E. MOL|NS AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE PACKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 1924 6Spots-Sheet l June 12, 1928. 1,673,263

- W. E. MOLINS AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE PACKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 1924 6Sheets-Sheet 2 W MO/l/rs Jftys.

Jun e' 12 1928;

' W. E. MOLINS AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE PACKING uAcnIm:

- 6 Shuts-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 1924 Inventor W E Mo/ins /iii Jim'e I2,1928,

W. E. IMOLINS AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE PACKING mourns 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledOct. 6, 1924 Znven'far N E Mo/ins June 12, 1928. 1,673,263

w. E. MOLINS AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE PACKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6, 1924 6Sheet-Sheat 5 Attvlr June 12, 1928.

w. E. nioLlNs AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE PACKING MACHINE e Sheets-Sheet e 4Filed Oct. 1924 Inventor MO/ihs stamp.

Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER EVERETT MOLINS, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE-PACKING MACHINE.

Application filed October 6, 1924, Serial No. 742,048, and in GreatBritain October 26, 1923.

This invention relates to automatic machines for packing cigarettes andarticles of similar shape in block bottom, open mouth packets.

It has been proposed in machines of this class to employ a compartmentwheel, the packet being formed in one compartment thereof from outblanks by means of a former plunger and tucking mechanism, the sides ofthe packet being folded but not positively secured, the wheel then beingr0- tated to bring the packet into the filling position and the filledpacket discharged and sealed by the application of an adhesive Such amachine may also operate on previously gummed blanks so that .a packethaving closed and gummed side folds is presented to the fillingmechanism.

The present invention has for its object to provide a machine which iscapable of long runs at high speed. Accordingto the invention themachine is of. the type in which the packets are made by formermechanism and are filled before the side folds are secured by anadhesive. The machine is fitted with improved mechanism for feeding theblanks rapidly to the packet forming mechanism and for transferring theunsealed packets to the filling mechanism, with 0 an improved method ofapplying adhesive to the folded sides of the filled packet and also withimproved mechanism for transferring the filled and gummed packets fromthe machine. I The improved transfer mechanism comprises pairs ofcontinuously rotating members which may be discs, between which thepacket is gripped and held. The filling mechanism is preferably of theknown oscillating funnel type operating in conjunction with an endlessconveyor having pusher pieces or some similar apparatus.

During the filling operation the packet is held between the rotatingdiscs, the latter slipping past the packet as hereinafter described.

The use of continuously rotating transfer members increases the workingspeed of the machine since it obviates the use of reciprocating orintermittent mechanism such as is usually employed, which is,of'necessity, slower in its action. After the filling operation, thefolded sides of the'packet are lifted or opened so that .gum may beapplied along the full length of the side folds. This length includes .aportion of the outside or printed face of the blankwhich, in folding,becomes folded inside. When gumming takes place before forming, thisportion does not receive gum. Thus by the present method of exposingthewhole length of the sides to the gumming apparatus the packet is moresecurely andneatly sealed.

This filled and sealed packet is finally ejected by the continuouslyrotating transfer members at a high rate of speed.

The machine is particularly adapted for packing a single row ofcigarettes, a row of five for example, in a small tightly fitting packetmade from a single sheet or blank.

To enable the invention to be fully understood it will now be describedby reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 isa sideelevation of the packet forming end of the machine, and

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the other end of the machine.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the packet making mechanism shown in Fig. 1. I

Figs. 1 and 2 if placed together meet on the line AA giving a View ofthe whole machine.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1 with the packet forming mechanismremoved.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 2 shewing th filling portionof the machineonly.

Figs. 3 and 4: if placed together meet on the line BB giving a plan viewof the whole machine.

, Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a packet blank feeding deviceshewing a method of feecpling the packet blank into the machine, an I iFig. 6 is a view of adetail of the packet blank feeding mechanism foruse with packets having irregular tops.

Figs. and 8 are views of details of the mechanism for transferring theempty packet to the machine bed.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are views of details of the packet foldingoperations.

Figs. 12, 13, and 14 are views of details of the mechanism fordeliveringthe'filled packets, drawn to a larger scale.

Figure 15 is a view of a detail for dealing with cigarettes in the eventof failure of the packeting portion of the apparatus. I

Figs. 16, 17 18, 19 are views of details of mechanism for filling thepackets.

Referring first to Figs. 1-4:: The packet forming mechanism is mountedon a'frame Ci. secured to the machine a and com prises a reciprocatingplunger 4 on which the packet is formed and stripped therefrom in theknown manner.

The plunger 4 is guided by rollers 5 and a slide 6 and is reciprocatedbetween a pair of parallel jaws 7 by any'suitable means such, forexample, as by a rod attached at its lower end to a connecting rodarranged at the backof the machine and operated by a crank driven. fromthe source of power (not shewn). In operation the plunger 4i rises clearof the jaws 7, as shewn in 1, but for an exceedingly short time only andduring this time the blank for making' the packet is fed'across the topof the jaws at A (Fig. 1). The packet blank is a Y shaped so that thesides are not all of the same length, which causes ti e packets to tel esheet of paper or the like and is preferably fed from a stack, but ifdesired it may be cut from a reel or continuous web by anysuitablemeans,

The improved mechanism for feeding the blanks into position over the topof the. jaws 7is shown in Fig.5.

This mechanism is mounted on portions of the frame 1 ad acent to thejaws 7 and comprises a pair of rollers 2 which are rotated atunifoi'inspeetl and a pair of rollers 3,, 8, t e roller 3 rotating at ahigh speed, the roller S'being merely a followert The roller 8 ismounted on a swinging lever- 10, one end of which is secured to arocking spindle 11 carried in a bearing 12 andprojecting to the back ofthe machine, the arrangement being such that the roller 8 is broughtmomentarily into contact with the roller 8' at certain desired moments.

7 With thisarrangement, the blank 9 is fed by themain feed rollers 2tothe rollers 3, 8,, and as the latter is brought into contact with thehigh speed roller 3, the blank receives a sharp impulse which deliversit into position over the jaws 7 at the moment that the plunger 1 leavesthe jaws and just be fore its return stroke. v

The operation of the roller 8 is controlled in synchronism with themovement of the plunger 4 by thefollowing means.

The rod 15 which operates the plunger 4 is fitted with a striking pieceMwhich is adapted to engage a pawl 13 on one end of the spindle 11.

As the rod 15 rises, carrying the plunger clear. of the jaws 7, thestriking piece 14 lifts the pawl 13 and rocks the lever 10, bringing theroller 8 into contact with the roller 3 and causing the blank to be'fedunder the plunger. n A spring 15 returns the parts to the originalpositions as the rod 15 moves down again.

The blank 9 is guided into. position be neath the plunger 4 bya channel16 fitted with narrow strips 17 at each side. A stop 18 is arranged tocheck the forward travel of the blank and any rebound is checked by theends 19 of the strips 17 mechanisms and forms a packet open at one endin the known manner, but in this case the blanks are free from adhesiveand the scope or crumple as they are pushed down the'cha-nnel 20. i

i In Fig. 6a packet'G isshewn having a curved or shaped open end with aflap C and in order to prevent the crumpling above referred to theplunger 1 is fitted with two projecting arms 21 having spring pawls 22at their ends. These pawls 22 as shown, catch the narrow sides of thepacket, which are of equal length, and thrust it down the full lengththe channel 20 to the transfer mechanlsm.

lVith tle plunger as shewn in 1, after several packets have been made,the lowest packet projects from the channel 20 and enters the transferapparatus.

The transfer apparatus (Figs. 1, 4-, 7 and 8) consists of a wheelcomprising a pair of rotating discs 23, 24, one or both of which arepreferably of transparent material such as glass to enable theoperations to be observed. These discs are mounted on a spindle 30rotating in a bearing 31 and are spaced apart suficiently to grip thepacket lightly between them carrying it round without distortion.

To prevent displacement of the packet as it enters the wheel a guideplate 25, mounted on a link 26 pivoted at 27 issprovidcd, the link beingoscillated by a roller 29 thereon which engages a cam 28 on the spindle30 (Fig. 1). As the packet enters the wheel the plate 25 is movedinwards towards the whee centre and formsa guide channel with a fixedguide piece 24* which prevents the packet from being displaced. Thisguide piece is preferably secured to the channel 20 as shown inFigure 1. v

If desired notches or stops may be provided on the insides of the discs23, 2 1, to locate the packet in, the correct position.

A packet K, entering the wheel, takes up the position shewn at L, Fig,7', and is'earried by the discs into the position D, being broughtinto,contact with a stripper 3O pivoted at 30 to the'lower end of the guide 21 the leadingend of the packet meeting a tired v the projection, 33 hasdepressed the springtill 32. 'The stripper is operated by a cam 31- onspindle through the medium of the cam roller 32 to press the packet Kflat upon the machine bed, and is fitted with a projection 33 so that inthe final position as shewn in Fig. 8, the packet K is fiat upon the bedand stop 32 to form an abutment for the packet. The bed beneath themouth of the packet is preferably provided with a depression ashereinafter described.

It is in this position that the packets are filled with cigarettes.

The cigarettes are-fed down a chute 35 by. any suitable means, such forexample as by-a vane hopper feed, and pass on to the filling portion ofthe machine bed 35 The filling portion of the bedis fitted with acentral slot in which the pusher-pieces 34.- (one only being shewn) ofan endless conveyor pass beneath the chute 35 and carry away the desiredgroup of cigarettes in the known manner.

The cigarettes are carried by the conveyor between guides 35 into amouthpiece 36 (Fig. 1) shewn more clearly in Figs. 16-18.

This mouthpiece is funnel-shaped and may be of a rigid nature instead ofthe usual spring tapered type since as the packet is not gummed it is.unnecessary to compress the cigarettes as in cases in which they have tobe forced into a more rigid gummed packet. i

The mouthpiece 36 is mountedon a sliding carriage 3'7 guided at one sideon a rod 38 secured to the machine bed and on the other side by a roller39 running on a guide strip 39 on the bed. The carriage 37 isreciprocated by means of a bell crank lever 40, pivoted at 41' andcarrying at one end a roller 12 working in a slotted guide 12 on' oneside of the carriage, the other end of the lever 46 carrying a roller 43driven by a suitable cam 1 1.

The carriage is moved forwards by the cam 4 1 against the action of aspring 45 as will be understood. The bed is slotted to allow themouthpiece to slide and the underside of the mouthpiece is also slottedto allow the pusher pieces 34 to pass in the known manner.

It will be understood that theciga-rettes are pushed into the mouthpiece36 and the latter is introduced into the open 'moutli of the packetwhile the latter is held by the stop 32 in the transfer wheel in theposition shewn in Fig. 8. Y Y

In Figs. 16-18 the filling'operation is shewn more clearly. In thesefigures it will be noted that a depression M is preferably formed. inthe bed beneath theopen end .of the packet K which as the mouthpiece 36enters the packet, allows the mouth of the packet to hell downwards asclearly shewn in Fig. 16, thusgivinga free entrance for the cigarettesand enabling" them to be pushed therein without any previouscompression. Fig. 19'is a view of the open end of the packet at thisstage.

The mouthpiece is provided with a guide 90 to prevent rising of thecigarettes and alsowith a guide plate 91 to prevent the cigarettes fromfalling through the slot 92 in the bed in which the mouthpieceoscillates. Fig. 16 shews the parts in position at the commencement ofthe filling operation and Fig. 18 in position after the filling has beencompleted, the stop 32 being raised, to allow the packet to pass beneathby the operation of the transfer wheel as will be understood from the.previous description with reference to Fig. 8. I

The filled packet is then carried by. the

conveyor beneath the stop 32 and under a plate 45" (Figs. 1, 9, 10,11)Ycarrying a pair of folders 53 having spiral surfaces.

Another pair of folders46 aremounted on the machine bed. Between the twopairs of .folders a pair of gum Wheels 50 arev arranged, which dip intoa gum bath 51 and project into contact with the lower edges of the sidesof the packet. Adjustable spring controlled scrapers 52 are provided forremoving surplus. gum. I

As shewn in Fig. 11 as the packet meets the first pair of folders 46,the latter lift up the top folds or flaps 46 of the packet,

allowing the gum wheels to apply gum to the folds or flaps underneath.Thepacket then passes to the folders 53 which press the top fold downonto the. gummed fold beneath, thus securing the sides and end of thepacket.

Guide pieces 46 are screwed to theftop' plate 15 and assist incontrolling the packet as it enters between folders 16.

By gumming the packet after forming as above described the whole lengthof the side folds or flaps are gummed. This length in cludes a portionof the outside or printed face of the blank which, infolding, becomesfolded inside. .When gumming takes place before forming this portiondoes not re' ceive gum. Thus by the present method of exposing the.whole length of the sides to the gumming apparatus the packet is moresecurely and neatly sealed. g,

After passing between the folders 53 th packet'passes into a deliverywheel.

This wheel (Figs. 2, 12,13, 14) consists of a pair of discs 54,. whichmay be of metal, and somewhat similar to the discs of w the transferWheel. The discs 54 rotate on a spindle 54 .and grip the filled .packetbetween them carrying it down towards an ejector. v

The ejector comprises afplat e 55 pivoted at 56and oscillated by a cam57 on the spindle 54; through the roller 58 mounted on a screw fixed toa prong 77 attached to ejector mple,-

, I pl tefiaga p h tension f. a sp in Theplate moves-inwards between thediscs %,.en then u w rds i t a sta ker 6 On moving; inwards the plateremoves a packet and then. moving outwards under the action of its caredelivers the paoket to the tacker andjp h s al g the o om until thepacketis beyond spring nonreturncatches 61011 the sides of the stackerwhich prevent its return The packets arethus pushed along the stacker ateach. stroke of the ejector and are either gathered up the operatorortaken up byth-e conveyor of a boxing apparatus of any. known kind, ordealt with n any other desired manner. v

I the pa k ts ar t be ose tpt e top they may be ejected, into ,asuitable sealing ma hi e- Packets otthehind shewnin Fig 6, for nlay be"ejected into a flap turning apparatus which folds and tucksthe flap C.

The, sidesflof the Stacker are heated by electric or otheriheaters 62and in orderto relieve the pressure on the packets onefor bo h .sidest'the ejec r ay be opened. by

a cam Elteaoh stroke of the ejector. In the example illustrated (Figs.2, l2, 1,144).v one side 6] of the stacker is. movable, being fittedwith two long arm's'68, each, pivoted at 69to the main frame of thestacker. Y

A rod 64;piv0tedat 65 at one endis connected by; a pin 66,to{the side67, the other end of the rod carrying a roller 63 engaging a crown cam62on tl1e spindle 5.45 (Fig. 12).

With this afilf tl gement, at every stroke i of the ejector a, movementof the side 67 is obtained which relieves the pressure, on the 1 packetsand allows the ejector to move them easily.

It may so 'etimes, happen that a bunch of cigarettes is. carried to themouthpiece 36, and owing to thefailure of the packet blank feed forexample, nopacketis ready in the transfer. wheel to receive them.v Inthis case the cigarettes pass. along'tofthe delivery emove them beforedelivery.

wheel without cansing any trouble, but in order to prevent thepossibility of jamming in the stackingapparatus, it is necessary to torefiecting this object is shewn in Figs. 12,13 and 14:. f f

. A sharp edged pawl 'Z0 is pivoted on a spindle 76 over the channelalong which the packets pass adjacent to the delivery wheel and isnormally held slightly below the level of the topf-offa filled packet Kby a spring'll.

If a filled'packet meets the pawl-'Zdthe latter islifted and rideslightly over the packet without damaging it. If; however. a bunch of eiqarettes meets. the pawl, the latter drops down between the cigarettes;as

shewn in Fig. 15;.

Asshewnbestin Figs lQl. and 1; an arm h'lechanism tenet 8l ssecure othe-spind e n carries a pin 82 n which a .0 hap ver 73 is p ted, t hookno a ly. g ng a t p lever 74 he d by a spr ng 7 and pivoted at 75 If thepawl 70 drops, the lever 73 also drops releasing lever 74 which underthe action of the spring 75 is oscil lated about its pivot-causing itsother end to fall, en-

gaging the prong 7.7 on the ejector plate 55.

This prevents further inward movement of the ejector plate and leaves 'aspace through which the loose cigarettes fall'undamagedinto a collectorbox, (not shown). If the next group ofcigarettes is packeted the pawl70. is'raised and the hook on lever 74; moves into positioILiQire-engage with the stop. lever 74, as soon as the latter is lowered.This lowering of the lever 74 is eftected by a cam 78 on the back, ofone of the discs 54 which engages a roller 7 9 on the lever Z4; swingingthe lever aboutj itspivot into the desired position. i The ejector platecan then travel through its full stroke and ej he packet.

The delivery wheel be provided with a hinged cover 80, to preventpackets being thrown outwards by theejector. The hook is freeon the pin82, but is controlled by a torsion spring 83* which twists it. in aclockwise direction, a tail73? on the, hook engaging the spindle 76110limit them otion of the, ho,ol;.; This arrangement giv-es flexh bilityto the action and ensures that the closed and dried afterfill'ingQ Thefilling operation may be efiected by a plungerapparatus instead 'oftheconveyor ppa atu her n efore: d scr ed- If desired the paoket blank feedfitted with creasing apparatus.

While the invention has been described with reference to, filling apacket with a single'row of cigarettes itfwi-llbe'understood that it isnot. so limited as the apparatus may b ea ily m d fied rows ofcigarettes. Also while the packet blank has been, described. as'a singlesheet,

mayfals cons of a doubl s a outer hovel: and an nner Wrapp f r ,ample,suitable means being employed for feeding the doublesheet to thepacketformns app ra s:

Having thusdescribed the nature of my may be to: operate with severalsaid invention and the best means I know of carrying the same intopractical effect, I claim V i 1. In an automatic machine of the typeforming an open mouth block bottom packet from blanks fed thereto, meansfor transferring the packets to the filling position comprisingcontinuously rotating members between which the packet 'is gripped, andmeans for retaining the packet in the filling position while permittingthe transfer members to slip past the packet.

2. In an automatic machine of the type forming an open mouth blockbottom packet from blanks fed thereto, means for transferring thepackets to the filling position comprising continuously rotatin membersbetween which the packet is gripped, and means for retaining the packetin the filling position while permitting the transfer members to slippast the packet, said retaining means comprising a movable stop againstwhich the closed end of 'the packet rests while said packet is beingfilled.

3. In an automatic machine of the type forming an open mouth blockbottom packet from blanks fed thereto, a channel for receiving theformed unsealed packets, continuously rotating members for transferringthe packet to the filling position, a guide between the continuouslyrotating members, a reciprocating plate for pushing the unsealed packetinto contact with the guide, a machine bed for receiving the packet forfilling, a pivoted stripper periodically operated to press the packetfiaton the machine bed, and mechanism for retaining the packet in thefilling position while permitting the rotating members to slip past thepacket.

4. In an automatic machine of the type forming an open mouth blockbottom packet from blanks fed thereto, a channel for receiving theformed unsealed packets, continuously rotating members for transferringthe packet to the filling position, a guide between the continuouslyrotating members, a.

reciprocating plate for pushing the unsealed packet into contact withthe guide, a

machine bed for receiving the packet for filling, a pivoted stripperperiodically'operated topressthe packet flat on the machine bed, andmechanism for retaining the packet in the filling position whilepermitting the rotating members to slip past the packet, said retainingmechanism comprising a movable stop against which the closed end of thepacket rests while said packet is being filled.

' 5.In an automatic machine of the type forming an open mouth blockbottom packet from blanks fed thereto, a machine bed for receiving theformed packet blank for filling, an endless conveyor for moving thecigarettes for filling, anoscillating mouth piece for receiving thecigarettes and pushing them into the packet blank, a slot formed withinthe mouth piece, and pusher ele, ments attached to the conveyor andmovable through the slot for enabling the conveyor to push thecigarettes entirely into the packet 6. In an automaticmachine of thetype forming an open mouth ;blo'ckbottom packet from blanks fed thereto,a machine bed for receiving the formed packet blank for filling, anendless conveyor for moving the cigarettes for filling, an oscillatingmouth piece for receiving the cigarettes and pushing them into thepacket blank, a slot formed within the mouth piece, and pusher elementsattached to the conveyor and movable through the slot for enabling theconveyor to push the cigarettes entirely into the packet, said mouthpiece comprising a rigid member through which the cigarettes are passedwithout compression.

7. In an automatic, machine of the type forming an open mouth blockbottom packet from blanks fed thereto, a machine bed for receiving theformed packet blank for filling, an endless conveyor for moving thecigarettes, for filling, an'noscillating mouth piece for receiving thecigarettes and pushing them into the packet blank, a slot formed withinthe mouth piece, and pusher elements attached to the conveyor. andmovable to push the cigarettes ventirely into the with a depressionbeneath the mouth of the packet to permit yielding of the packet duringfilling.

8. In an automatic machine of the type forming an open mouth blockbottom packet from blanks. fed thereto, means for filling the packet,means for causing travel of the packet forward, and a folder mechanismfor receiving the filled ungummed packet and opening the folded sides ofthe packet to allowadhesive to be applied thereto.v A a 9. In anautomatic machine of the type forming an-open mouth block bottom packetfrom blanks fed thereto, means for filling the packet, means for causingtravel of the packet forward, a folder mechanism for repacket, saidmachine bed being provided ceiving the-filled ungummed packet and,

opening the folded sides of the packet to allow adhesive to be appliedthereto, and adhesive applying mechanism comprising a pair of gum wheelsand carrying means to convey the unfolded sides of the, packet inproximity to the wheels forpermitting application of adhesive. p 10. Inan automatic machine of the type opening the folded sides of the packetto alan oscillatable lever on which the follower roller is mounted, aspring held lever operatively connected to said oscillatable lever, anda cam mounted on the blank forming plunger for periodically actuatingthe spring held lever, whereby the blank is shot into the formingmechanism at the proper moment, means for forming the packet, and acontinuously rotating device for receiving the packets and transferringthem to a filling position, means for filling the packets, and means forsupplying adhesive to the mating edges of said packets.

21. In combination with an automatic machine for forming an open mouthblock bottom packet from blanks fed thereto, a channel for receiving theformed unsealed packet, a transfer mechanism for transferring the formedpackets to the filling position, and means for positively feeding thepacket through the channel to the transfer mechanism.

22. In combination with an automatic machine for forming an open mouthblock bottom packet from blanks fed thereto, a channel for receiving theformed unsealed packet, a transfer mechanism for transferring the formedpackets to the filling position, and means for positively feeding thepacket through the channel to the transfer mechanism, comprising armsoperatively connected to the forming mechanism, and

pivoted pawls attached to said arms for making contact with the sides ofthe packet and pushing it to the transfer mechanism.

23. A packing machine which comprises in combination means for formingan open mouth block bottom packet from a strip of Wrapping material fedthereto, a continuously rotating device arranged to receive the packetsso formed and transfer the same to a filling position, means forautomatically filling said packets with the contents to be packed andmeans for supporting the packet against the movement of the contents asthe same are being inserted therein.

24. In an automatic machine of the type forming an open mouth blockbottom packet from blanks fed thereto, a receptacle for the completedpacket, and a delivery mechanism comprising a pair of elements, rotatingin parallel planes for gripping the packet and passing it on to thereceptacle.

25. In an automatic machine of the type forming an open mouth blockbottom packet from blanks fed thereto, a receptacle for the completedpacket, and a delivery mechanism comprising a pair of coaxial rotatingelements for gripping the packet between their opposing faces andpassing it on to the receptacle.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WALTER EVERETT MOLINS.

